The Daily Populous Saturday October 11st, 2025 morning edition
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nbcnews on October 10th, 2025 at 15:51 UTC »

To prevent pneumonia, Carrie Lazoen says her 2-year-old daughter, Emmalyn, needs a “shaky vest.”

Emmy, as her family calls her, has a rare genetic condition called Aicardi syndrome. The disease — which can shorten life expectancy — affects her brain, causing seizures, vision problems and significant developmental delays. As a result, Emmy can’t walk independently. Everyday activities require careful monitoring. She can’t sit on her own or hold her head up for long.

A shaky vest, formally called a high-frequency chest wall oscillation vest, vibrates when Emmy wears it to loosen and clear mucus in her lungs.

But Lazoen said it took several months and three denials before the family’s primary health insurance, United Healthcare, approved coverage to rent the vest. In one denial letter viewed by NBC News, dated April 17, United wrote that Emmy’s condition didn’t qualify for coverage of the vest in part because Emmy didn’t get frequent lung infections — precisely what the vest is supposed to prevent.

The episode was just one of many the Lazoens, of Manito, Illinois, have dealt with when it comes to covering Emmy’s care.

“It’s awful,” Lazoen said. “It shouldn’t be this difficult to deal with them when you have a child with disabilities.”

More here: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/kids-health/toddlers-medical-expenses-can-hit-3000-month-family-says-nearly-every-rcna226266

drfunk on October 10th, 2025 at 16:00 UTC »

Oh, wait, do we get to have Death Boards now like the Republicans were lying about during the Obama administration? Do we have to start deciding who lives and dies?

ChocoPuddingCup on October 10th, 2025 at 16:17 UTC »

Don't worry, little one, Trump is building a new gold-plated ballroom at the White House. All will be better then.